Reward offered in Chickasha ag barn vandalism case

Reward offered in Chickasha ag barn vandalism case

CHICKASHA, Okla. — The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for breaking into the Chickasha High School’s Ag Barn and putting domesticated animals at risk by spray-painting them, turning them loose and then vandalizing the property.

The Case: The Chickasha Police Department gives the following account: On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Chickasha police were dispatched to the Chickasha Ag Barn on the 3200 block of Georgia Avenue around 7:30 a.m.

Chance McPherson, an Ag teacher, told police that between 10:30 p.m. Oct. 14 and 4:30 a.m. Oct. 15, someone entered the barn and released all of the cattle, hogs, and sheep from their pens, and spray painted graffiti on the walls of the barn and on two pigs.

Animals were found wandering around the pastures west of the barns and some cattle were found on 29th Street. The Ag teacher herded the animals back into their appropriate pens and made sure all the animals were accounted for.

According to McPherson, two sheep entered a hog pen and ate hog feed, which is harmful to them. The two sheep were treated by veterinarians, and have recovered.

McPherson also reported that a black boar developed a limp that is likely a result of the incident. The boar has recovered as well.

Although no animals were seriously injured during the incident, spray-painting animals and setting them loose could have resulted in them being harmed or permanently lost or stolen.

Cynthia Armstrong, Oklahoma state director for The HSUS, said: “This incident is a senseless crime both against animals and the ag staff and students. We hope this reward will aid in finding those who did this.”

The Investigators: The Chickasha Police Department is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crimestoppers at 405-222-TIPS (8477) or text CRIMES (274-637) and use the keyword, Chicktip.